OpenSolar offers two different softwares to calculate system output:
- PVWatts6 (legacy)
- System Advisor Model (SAM)
Changing between Legacy and SAM is simple. If you would like to change the modeling software for a specific project, head into the Design section of your project, on the upper right corner select the Design Mode icon where you can change between 3D and 2D design. When in 3D, your project will be modeled with SAM. When in 2D, your project will be modeled with Legacy.
NOTE: Auto-calculation of slope, azimuth, and shading is only available through SAM and 3D modeling. If you choose to use PVWatts, you will need to manually make all of the mentioned calculations.
If you would like to change your settings to always default to SAM or PVWatts go to control > design & hardware > setbacks & design settings > edit/create your default > simulation settings > and select from the dropdown.
Comments
2 comments
Can the 3D Shading tool be opened for Australia too? I want to explore 3D settings and would love the shading analysis in that manner. I would like that very much and I believe this is the only demerit of it at the moment for me.
Hi Ali,
The 3D shading tool is available in all locations where 3D data is available. Google 3D generally covers some metropolitan areas. Or if you have Nearmap then you can get the oblique add on which provides 3D DSM imagery too.
If there is no 3D available, you can create a 3D model of the site by following the instructions in this video: https://support.opensolar.com/hc/en-us/articles/4408460182553--Creating-a-3D-design-without-3D-data
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Thanks
Christian
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